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Intel acquires Movidius to bolster RealSense computer vision platform

In a Tuesday announcement, chip maker Intel has revealed that it is bolstering its RealSense computer vision platform with the acquisition of another chip maker, Movidius --- the company which designs a range of system-on-chip products to accelerate computer vision processing.

Movidius is a supplier of chips to drone manufacturers like DJI and to thermal imaging company FLIR Systems. The Movidius chips give computers the ability to comprehend what they are seeing through cameras -- such as Intel's RealSense -- by breaking down the processing into several smaller tasks which can be executed in parallel.

In addition, the acquisition of Movidius will also enable Intel to benefit from algorithms which have been tuned for deep learning, depth processing, navigation and mapping, and natural interactions. The acquisition will also bring wide-ranging proficiency in embedded computer vision and machine intelligence to Intel.

In announcing Intel’s acquisition of Movidius, Josh Walden -- SVP and General Manager of Intel's New Technology Group -- said in an official blog post that Movidius will potentially enable Intel to build systems for drones, as well as for augmented reality (AR) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, merged reality devices, robots and security cameras.